Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 01.djvu/794

AQUA. water of anininnia), aqua rinii/flddkc umnrm (bitter almond water), aqua anisi (anise water), aqua aurantii floruin ( orange - flower water), aqua camphorm (camphor water), aqua chlori (chlorine water), aguu chloroformi (chloroform water), aqua cinnamomi (cinnamon water), aqua creasoti (creosote water), aqua (Icstillata. (distilled water), aqua fwniculi (fennel water), aqna hyitroyenii dioxidi (peroxide of hydrogen solution), aqua menthw piperatw (peppermint water), rt^ua menthw viriUis (spearmint water), and aqua rosw (rose water).

AQUÆ SEX'TIÆ (Lat., Sextian waters). A town of ancient (iaul. famous for the victory of jMarius over the Teutones, Ambrones, and other German tribes, in B.C. 102. It is now known as the French town of Aix, in Provence. AQU.ffi SO'LIS (Lat., waters of the sun). Now the Englisli town of Bath ; an ancient Ro- man city, remarkable for its magnificent edifices and for the medicinal property of its springs. Recent excavations at its site iiave brought to light the remains of many Roman bath-houses.

AQUAMARINE, -ma-ren' (Lat. aqua, water + jiiariinifi. lu'longing to the sea). A bluish- green variety of beryl that is used as a gem. It is found in a number of localities in the United States, the richest-colored gems coming from Royalston, Mass. A celandine green variety of apatite is also called aquamarine. AQUA RE'GIA (Lat.. royal water). A name given to a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, which may Ijc used as a solvent for gold, whence its name, as gold was called by the alchemists the king of metals. It is usually pre- pared by mixing one part of nitric acid with from three to four parts of hydrochloric. AQUA'RIUM (Lat., a watering-place for cattle, from aqua, water). A tank or vessel containing either salt or fresh water, in which either marine or fresh-water plants and ani- mals are kept in a living state. From 1854 to 1860 there was a mania for these scientific toys, and they became not only an aid to study, but a source of rational amusement, depending in principle upon the relations discovered by science between animal and vegetable life, and particu- larly upon the consumption by ])lants under the action of light of the carbonic-acid gas given forth by animals, and the consequent restoration to t]e air or water in which they live of the oxygen necessary for the maintenance of animal life. The aquarium nuist, therefore, contain both plants and animals, and in something like a proper proportion. Zoophytes, annelids, mollusks, crustaceans, and fishes may thus be kept in health and their habits observed. The water must be frequently aerated, which can be accom- plished by taking up portions of it and pouring them in again from a small height. The fresh- water a(]Uarium is frequently jjrovided with a fountain, which produces a continual change of water; but even wlierc this is the case, the pres- ence both of plants and animals is advantageous to the health of both. When sea water cannot be easily procured for the marine aquariinn, a substitute may be made by mixing with rather less than 4 quarts of spring water .'ii/j ounces of common table salt, % ounce of epsom salts, 200 grains troy of chloride of magnesium, and 40 grains troy of chloride of potassium. With care the water may be kept pure for a long time. No dead animal or decaying plant must be permitted to remain in it. Salt water, artificially prepared, is not fit for the reception of animals at once; but a few plants must first be jjlaced in it, for which purpose some of the green algae, especially species of L'lva, are most suitable. The presence of a number of mollusks, such as shore snails, is necessary for the consumption of the continually growing vegetable matter, and of the multitu- dinous spores, particularly of algoe, which would otherwise soon fill the water, rendering it green- ish or brownish, and non-transparent, and which may be seen beginning to vegetate everywhere on the pebbles or on the glass of the tank. In a fresh-water aquarium, pond-snails, such as spe- cies of Lymnu'a or Planorbis, are equally indis- pensable. For large aquaria, tanks of plate glass are commonly used; smaller ones are made of bottle-glass or crystal.

Aquaria should be placed where they have suflicient access to good light. This is, of course, essential to the green plants, and will also pre- vent the excessive growth of dangerous fungi. The gills of fishes, their eyes, and any woimd on the body are frequently attacked by these fungi. These can often be removed in the case of fresh- water forms by a temporary bath in a common salt solution, sufficiently strong, and for a sufficient length of time to kill the fungi. The fish, although severely affected by the salt, will revive upon being flushed with an abundance of fresh water. The plants or animals with which the aquarium is to be stocked must vary with the tastes and purposes of the individual. Among fishes, the goldfish (q.v.) stands first in beauty, variety of fantastic forms, and in tenacity of life. The sticklebacks (q.v.) are desirable because of their small size and their interesting nest-building and breeding habits. Besides these, many others could be added. Crabs and anemones are common objects in marine aquaria. Notable large public aquaria are maintained in various cities of Europe for the instruction and amusement of the people. From a scientific stand-point, the aquaria at the Naples Marine Station have been of great importance. In Great Britain, the Brighton Aquarium has long been prominent, and of much service to science as well as public entertainment and instruction. In America, the United States Fish Commission Aquarium at Washington, D. C, and the New York City Aquarium are worthy of mention. The latter was installed in old Fort Clinton, on the Battery, long known as Castle (iarden, where in 1807 it was perfected by Dr. Tarleton Bean. It has seven great floor-tanks, or pools, and nearly one hundred wall-tanks, lighted from above and in the rear, and disposed in two tiers, the ujijjer viewed from a gallery. Both marine and fresh- water fishes and other aquatic animals are dis- played, and the mechanical arrangements are of the highest excellence. It is sustained by the city, under the control of the Department of Parks, and is entirely free to the puldic. AQUA'RIUS (Lat., the water-bearer). The eleventh sign of tlie zodiac, through which the sun moxcs in parts of the months of January and February. It is also the name of a zodiacal constellation, whose position in the heavens may be found by producing a line in a soitherly direction through the stars in the head of Andromeda and the wing of Pegasus.  AQUAT'IC AN'IMALS. See.